Taki Sarantakis

Discussions regarding universities' role in science diplomacy and export development opportunities Discussions regarding Canada's defence industrial strategy and related programs Advocacy to maintain and enhance funding of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Canada Foundation for Innovation. Advocacy to secure federal support to develop and upgrade university infrastructure, including but not limited to research and learning facilities, digital infrastructure, and transit infrastructure Discussion regarding support for Indigenous post-secondary students, faculty and staff Discussion regarding research and development, infrastructure initiatives and investments in the area of agri-tech Discussion regarding research and development, infrastructure initiatives and investments in clean and conventional energy, and critical minerals Advocacy to improve immigration policies and programs for students, faculty and staff Discussion regarding research and development, infrastructure initiatives and investments in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), quantum, and dual-use technologies Discussion regarding increasing training pipelines and work integrated learning opportunities for students in the federal government

Advocacy related to university engagement in Canadian priorities in artificial intelligence, data systems and related computing science and energy subjects, including but not limited to specific calls for proposals. Advocacy for university initiatives related to Canadian priorities across the defence spectrum, including initiatives relevant to both Defence and Veterans' Affairs, among other federal departments. Advocacy to enhance support for university research mobilization and commercialization activities. Research security, with respect to international research partnerships Discussions with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and other relevant departments and agencies regarding the role of universities in supporting federal innovation initiatives, policies and programs. Discussions regarding research and development initiatives and federal support related to energy and environment, and climate change research, innovation, commercialization, talent and knowledge mobilization. Discussions regarding official language funding amounts and mechanisms. Discussions about the Copyright Act and details of its implementation in a post-secondary setting. Advocacy to secure support in the budget for post-secondary education, research, innovation, and science and technology. Advocacy to secure federal support to develop and upgrade university infrastructure, including but not limited to research and learning facilities, digital infrastructure, and transit infrastructure. Advocacy to increase support for university research, including research funding and granting programs administered by the tri-agencies (SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR) and other departments and agencies. Advocacy to improve immigration policies and programs for prospective and current university students, faculty, and staff. Advocacy to ensure that proposals to develop or amend federal legislation, regulations, policies or programs that directly or indirectly impact the post-secondary system reflect the needs of universities and support our research and education mission. Advocacy to enhance student supports, including but no limited to Canada Student Grants and Loans, the Canada Graduate Scholarship Program, supports for Indigenous students, and work-integrated learning programs. Advocacy to advance Canadian leadership in priority areas to support world class research, talent attraction and retention, and knowledge mobilization. Advocacy related to reconciliation efforts, including but not limited to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action

Raising awareness about York University's strengths in research, teaching, and scholarship and differentiation among post-secondary institutions in Canada Seeking to raise awareness about York University’s strengths in the health sector, as well as the York University School of Medicine. Seeking funding from the federal government for an increased federal investment in Canada Graduate Scholarships Seeking funding from federal government for investment in regional development projects Inquire on the status of grants and to propose a wide variety of academic research projects to Federal Research Granting Councils (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR)- Advocating for continued and increased granting council funding. Immigration policy related to students Advocating for institutional infrastructure investments from various federal programs. Advocating for increases in funding for research and innovation, as well as funding to the Indirect Costs Program of SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR Advocating for increased investment in student assistance with the Canada Student Loan Program.

We are interested in speeding up the defence procurement cycle and to helping defence buyers purchase the right solution, from the right buyer, at the right price.

Engagement with Shared Services Canada as it relates to its mandate to provide secure, reliable networks, modern tools and client-centric digital services for Canadians, including: networks and network security, data centres and Cloud offerings, digital communications and IT tools, new procurement models and enterprise efficiencies. Cisco will seek opportunities to engage with elected and non-elected members of the Government of Canada regarding the Government's Budget 2024 $2 billion in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Compute. Cisco will seek opportunities to engage with elected and non-elected members of the Government of Canada regarding issues related to Right To Repair. Cisco will seek opportunities to engage with elected and non-elected members of the Government of Canada regarding Canada-US relations and CUSMA six-year review. Discussions regarding grants and contributions for programming in the not-for-profit / charity sector regarding skills and education. Discussions regarding funding opportunities to expand Cisco's R&D footprint, talent & presence in Canada. Cisco will seek opportunities to engage with elected and non-elected members of the Government of Canada regarding Bill C-27 The AI & Data Act Cisco will seek opportunities to engage with elected and non-elected members of the Government of Canada regarding Bill C-26, An Act Respecting Cyber Security Cisco is seeking opportunities to engage with the Government of Canada on the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy related to economic development and investment in Canada. Cisco is seeking opportunities to engage with the Government of Canada on programs and policies related to digital readiness, innovation, technology, digital transformation and acceleration, digital skills & education, cyber security, AI, data, privacy and the broad adoption of information and communication technologies.

Cisco is seeking opportunities to engage with Shared Services Canada as it relates to their new procurement model and enterprise efficiencies. Cisco is seeking opportunities to engage with the Government of Canada on programs and policies related to innovation and the adoption of information and communication technologies.

Foster Moore has developed a proof of concept digital asset register, with a specific application to defence supply chains. The register helps mitigate vulnerabilities in military procurement networks, such as fraudulent vendors, phishing scams, and counterfeit parts. The company is interested in working with Defence Research and Development Canada on this platform. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are seeking to develop a digital asset solution to facilitate the seizure and storage of cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) from multiple public blockchains. The Government of Canada is consulting stakeholders on the possible creation of a foreign agent registry as a means of preventing outside interference in Canadian affairs. Foster Moore is a global leader in developing and implementing Occupational Registries (ORs) and has subject matter expertise in this area. Foster Moore is seeking a contract to provide an alternative service delivery model for the implementation of a publicly accessible federal beneficial ownership registry. Foster Moore is pursuing an alternative service delivery model for the modernization and renewal of the Corporations Canada business registry.

Working with the Government of Canada to successfully implement its Budget 2023 plan to reduce spending on professional services. Working with the Government of Canada to reform procurement policies to ensure value-for-money for professional services, including services related to research and benchmarking. Working with Parliamentarians to assist them in better understanding emerging technologies and the potential impacts these technologies may have on public policy and civil society.

Proposed transparency reporting guidelines with respect to law enforcement requests for data. Procurement modernization, as it relates to the standards, terms, conditions and policies that underpin the Government of Canada's procurement of enterprise ICT products and services, including cloud-based services. Privacy policy as it relates to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, including the regulations thereunder. Policies or programs related to the regulation of digital platforms. Policies or programs related to the protection of Canadian democratic institutions and electoral systems. Policies or programs related to the increased cross-border transportation links connecting the Cascadia Innovation Corridor. Policies or programs related to technology and environmental sustainability. Policies or programs related to internet connectivity and broadband access. Policies or programs related to innovation, the digital economy and the adoption of information and communication technologies. Policies or programs as they relate to the development and applications of artificial intelligence and the ethical use of artificial intelligence, including facial recognition technology. Policies or programs as they relate to internet safety and online harms. Policies concerning the regulation of personal and sensitive information, including lawful access policies and cybersecurity. Policies concerning the promotion and development of computer science education and digital skills. Internet safety and security policy affecting information technology companies. Internet policy specifically the implementation of policy affecting the governance of the internet. Internet policy specifically as it relates to cybersecurity and national security. International trade as it relates to intellectual property and digital trade. Intellectual property and competition policy affecting information technology companies. Information and communications technology adoption, including cloud and AI technologies, by business and public sector entities. Immigration policy and programs as they relate to attracting and retaining high skilled global talent to Canada. Cybersecurity policy as it relates to the creation of international norms. Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill C-27 (Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022), more specifically the creation of the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act, and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act. Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill C-26 (An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts). Communicating with the Government of Canada about Bill C-18 (An Act Respecting Online Communications Platforms), more specifically about the regulation of online content. Accessibility policy as it relates to the enactment of the Accessible Canada Act, including the establishment of the Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization and the creation of IT standards.

Seeking government contracting opportunities related to Skillsoft suite of technology solutions including training and AI security, while updating Government of Canada officials on key technology developments

Working with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to improve visa processing times, the Study Direct Stream program, and lower refusal rates for international students accepted to Canadian universities Lobbying to maintain fair dealing for education. Lobbying for an explicit exception for charities, not-for-profits and/or educational institutions to Canada’s Anti-Spam Law (CASL). Increased supports for Indigenous students seeking to access post-secondary education. Harmonization of immigration policies with regard to the improvement of study and work permit processing to identify areas where policies and procedures could be strengthened. Engaging with reviews of existing legislation covering charities to clarify how they apply to educational institutions. Engage with Statistics Canada regarding postsecondary education and research data collection and analysis with particular attention to the University and College Academic Staff System survey and labour market information. Engage with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada regarding the role of universities in supporting innovation through the full suite of innovation initiatives (eg. Superclusters, economic sector tables, Innovation Canada, knowledge mobilization, digital research infrastructure etc.) Engage with Global Affairs Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and ESDC on the implementation of the government’s International Education Strategy – including the targeting and recruitment of international students and the design of the outbound student mobility program for Canadian students to study abroad. Engage with Department of Status of Women and Statistics Canada regarding data collection and policies/frameworks regarding student safety on campus. Discussions with Employment and Social Development Canada concerning international student mobility and internship programs. Discussions concerning federal budget priorities. Priority topics include: federal government's support for university research through the federal granting agencies and other government programs; support for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows; changes to the Canada Research Chairs program; university infrastructure; international research collaboration; knowledge mobilization; equity diversity and inclusion; cybersecurity; and expanding university education opportunities for Indigenous Canadians. Discuss effective strategies and programs to support student transition to the work place and access to upskilling and reskilling programs for mid-career Canadians with Employment and Social Development Canada, including the Student Work-Integrated Learning Program (SWILP) and the Canada Training Benefit.